Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd Bin Abdul Aziz and Crown Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz, Deputy Prime Minister and Commander of the National Guard, today welcomed the advent tomorrow of the Holy Month of Ramadan during which able and eligible Muslims are obliged to fast from dawn to dusk. In a speech read over television and radio by Minister of Information Dr. Fuad In Abdulsalam Al-Farsi, they congratulated Muslims all over the world on the sacred occasion, and expressed thanks to God Almighty for honoring the Islamic world with fasting to give pleasure to Him. The Saudi leaders urged their people to avail themselves of the opportunity to adhere to the strict instructions of the Prophet Muhammad in performing this ritual, which is one of the five pillars of Islam.

Ramadan, they went on to say, is also an occasion to be reminded of our beloved deceased who passed away and who are in need of our appeal to God to pour mercy on their souls. They pointed out that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia adheres to Islamic Sharia in all its dealings and vowed that it would remain committed to protect the Two Holy Mosques, providing the utmost service to them and to their guests throughout the year. The royal speech also expressed sincere wishes for the success of the leaders of the Islamic World for the benefit of their people. For its part, the Ministry of Information extended its congratulations to King Fahd and the Crown Prince, to Prince Sultan Bin Abdul Aziz, Second Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defense and Aviation, and Inspector-General, the Saudi royal family, the Saudi people, and the people of Islamic nations everywhere, on the advent of the holy month of fasting, wishing all Muslims health and prosperity.